High piezoelectric d33 coefficient of lead-free (Ba0.93Ca0.07)(Ti0.95Zr0.05)O3 ceramics sintered at optimal temperature

Lead-free (Ba0.93Ca0.07)(Ti0.95Zr0.05)O3 (BCZT) ceramics were prepared using a solid-state reaction technique. The structure and electrical properties were investigated with a special emphasis on the influence of sintering temperature. Crystalline structures and microstructures were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM) at room temperature. The BCZT ceramics sintered at 1450 °C show the highest densification and exhibit excellent piezoelectric properties of high piezoelectric coefficient d33 = 387 pC/N, planar mode electromechanical coupling coefficient kp = 44.2%, mechanical quality factor Qm = 140 and Curie temperature Tc = 108 °C.